Within our culture, as is present in others, there is quite a lot of respect for the elders of a family, village, and country. They are always accorded much respect and their words of wisdom sought especially at difficult times. When they speak, people listen and disputes are generally resolved.
It is with this vision that Sir Richard Branson and Peter Gabrial launched a tremendous initiative to sponsor a council of elders to include much respected world figures where it is hoped that they will tackle difficult subjects by exercising their moral authority.
“The Elders” which has been launched yesterday during Nelson Mandela’s 89th birthday celebrations also includes luminaries like retired archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan and Mary Robinson. It will ultimately consists of 12 people, none of whom hold a current public office and all of whom are recognised for their passionate work in human rights and are deeply concerned for the world and our environment and have tangible contributions in their own countries and the world at large. They are beyond personal egos.
Although their mandate is yet to be fully announced, some statements have already been made to frame their work:
Mandela states in remarks prepared for Wednesday that the fact that none of The Elders holds public office allows them to work for the common good, not for outside interests.
“This group can speak freely and boldly, working both publicly and behind the scenes on whatever actions need to be taken,” the remarks state. “Together we will work to support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict, and inspire hope where there is despair.”
IHT – 17 July, ’07
I do wish them much luck in their much needed endeavours and salute Richard Branson and Peter Gabrial for their vision and humanity. They have demonstrated that everybody can made a difference.
I hope that The Elders will cast their eyes on this turbulent region and through the exercise of their moral authority spread peace and maybe also entice some of our errant leaders to relinquish their control and let our people live with some happiness and dignity.
Comments
Wow, thanks for sharing this.
Some of the best advice I have gotten in life is from older people. So much in life is simple and it doesn’t matter what generation you are in, we all need and want the sames things in life that our forefathers did.
I have gained so much from the writings of Mahatma Ghandi, Mother Teresa and Nelson Medela.
Elders are important in every community.
We should setup a council of elders here –
who care about our country, our region and
the world. Their advice will be helpful in
guiding us to be better.
Great idea, of course! I hope it works like they think, so they have to choose elders from all parts of the world. These they announced are great idols to many people, what’s important for the function of the elders.
I see there are three from Africa and one from the U.S. and Europe – it will be interesting where the others come from. I think the elders will come from nations where are problems to solve – there they can grow to strength.
I hope, the elders will together have the impact on the world they deserve.
Its a great initiative, lots of wisdom in these folks. The big problem is (unfortunately) they have about as much power to effect change as an asthmatic child has at trying to blow out a candle.
Hopefully I’m wrong..
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@ chill out:
Power does not always mean weapons or money… I think, they have power, because they are idols to the people. And idols are powerful…
Hmm a good idea all in all…
Effectiveness … I think they can be effective in tense situations, along the lines of diffusing tension before it gets out of hand by mediating between two parties.
I mean – Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu and Kofi Annan barge into your living room one day while you have your feet up on the couch reading a good book – after a minute of awkward silence while all of you sit there staring at each other, you would be somewhat obliged to offer them a seat and coffee and listen to them talk about having to make ammends with your cousin Vinnie whom you havent talked to in two years…
Such is the power of the elders! 🙂
Seriously though, the world on a global scale, resembles a state of anarchy more than anything else. Each nation state bunkering down within its borders and paying amage to the latest ‘big guy’ around the block to protect them. Reminds me of that scene in Godfather II when Don Fannuci goes around a neighbourhood in Brooklyn and extorts money from everyone, in return for their ‘protection’.
I think this group is a good idea, but I think they only thing that they can accomplish is to calm nerves that might be tense at a particular moment, than design a just government fit for all of humanity on this planet.
I hope I am wrong.
-Ibn
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